The History and Evolution of Tai ChiTai Chi is the result of Chinese Taoists. The Taoists, in their observation of nature, discovered that nothing is entirely still. If the prey remained in the same place, the beasts of the forest would benefit. They also discovered that this principle also applied to humans and that if they remained stagnant, it opened the door to illness and old age. From this revelation, Taoists began creating forms of martial arts and using yoga introduced in India to be active. This is believed to be where Tai Chi has its roots. During the 13th century and the Sung dynasty (960-1279 CE), Cheung San Fung (Zhang Sanfeng) was a member of the Wudang sect of Taoism under the branch of the School of Neidan or Internal Alchemy. This school believed in the return to the origin or Tao, spiritual health and harmony with the Tao. It is said that Cheung observed many animals that lived for a long time, including the turtle and the crane, and used these observations in conjunction with the principles of the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching to derive the movements of Tai Chi. There is some controversy over who started Tai Chi because the written record was not perfect. However most of the places I researched and the information I received from my instructor follows what I mentioned. But what is Tai Chi? Tai Chi actually has 3 functions: Health; Meditation and protection. Tai Chi is a series of slow, controlled, methodically placed movements. Tai Chi for health is based on a person's chi. Chi literally translated means “breath,” but it is more commonly referred to as life force or energy. Chi is believed to flow freely through a person and...... middle of paper ...... people with multiple sclerosis who practiced Tai Chi had a better quality of life. In conclusion, Tai Chi was originally intended as a method for a person to meditate and work on their own harmony of yin and yang with the ultimate goal of joining with the Origin or Tao. Today, 700 years later, it has evolved over time and become a gentle exercise used by people around the world. Sources “History of Tai Chi Chuan”. University of Utah. October 5, 2007. “Tai Chi Chuan.” Middle Tennessee State University; J. Purcell. October 11, 2007. “Tai Chi.” Tai Chi Academy. October 13, 2007. “Taijiquan and its Taoist lineage.” International Taoist Tai Chi Society. October 10, 2007. Horstman, Judith. “Tai Chi”. Arthritis today. October 10, 2007.Leporati, James L., "Taoism and Tai Chi Chuan". Patience T’ai Chi Association. October 10, 2007.